IDF Base Option Expenses

In general, your expenses are covered during volunteer periods on the IDF base. Weekend expenses (Thursday afternoon-Sunday morning) are not.

Expenses covered by the VFI/Sar-El Program include:

• housing and meals during the volunteer work week
• ground transportation from the airport to base at approved arrival times and to a central location at the end of each program
• work clothes on military bases
• transportation for Sar-El sponsored excursions, if offered
• evening lectures and cultural programs on base
• Shabbat hospitality with host families (when available)
• weekend accommodations in the Sar-El hostel in Jaffa, space permitting

Expenses paid by the volunteer:

• VFI-USA application fee: $90 (Returning volunteers within one year-$60; Full-time students- $50)
• round-trip airfare to Israel
• expenses before and after the program
• ground transportation on weekends and for final departure from Ben Gurion
• weekend accommodations, meals and other expenses
• pocket money for personal needs
• health insurance coverage (required)

At hotels, museums, shops, and on public transportation, always ask if a Sar-El discount is available.